Tilea's Worries

This is the student council room at the magic academy.

Jessica thinks to herself.

I've become someone who can enter the student council room. Yes, after various twists and turns, I've become the student council secretary. As a student council officer, I'm now involved in the daily self-governance tasks of the academy. Balancing this with my studies is challenging, but I'm gaining even more from it.

Right after the demon race's attack on the royal capital, I was like a living corpse, unable to accept my best friend's death. I had no motivation for anything and refused to go to school, shutting myself in my dormitory.

But something triggered a decision to move forward. I became aware of what I was lacking. Now I'm determined to absorb knowledge greedily to make up for it.

In that sense, the student council is a place where I can grow tremendously. My seniors accurately guide me in my immature areas.

It's really tough. I've lost count of how many times I've cried, but all the seniors are kind people. They make me want to follow them.

Here, I will become strong. I'll make sure of it.

Even though we're students, this is the student council of the magic academy that the Arcdas Kingdom prides itself on. I think the student council work is on par with actual national administration and battlefield logistics construction. I'm carrying out student council duties every day in such an environment.

However, today I'm not doing student council work.

I'm going to investigate what my best friend entrusted to me that day, in that place.

Aria, who on earth are you?

Lilis-chan's last words. On the verge of death, she entrusted me with "Rely on Aria."

The person Lilis-chan, who always watched over pathetic me, entrusted. Aria must be a strong and kind person like Lilis-chan.

I wonder if I can become best friends with that person too?

Hehe, it's presumptuous of me to overlap her with Lilis-chan, isn't it?

But it's okay if we don't become best friends, I don't mind even if she dislikes me.

I want to meet her.

That's because she's the person my best friend worried about and entrusted to me until her dying moments.

Of course, investigating Aria isn't just for personal reasons. If there's another demon attack, Aria should be a trump card for humanity.

After recovering from the demon attack on the royal capital, I started searching for Aria's whereabouts.

I asked around, accessed the academy's database, and investigated in various ways. And I was able to find several people with the same name.

The name Aria isn't that unusual. Moreover, there are people who go by Aria as a nickname, like Aara Lirel Durulua. Including such people, there were quite a few candidates.

I talked to dozens, hundreds of these people.

But I couldn't find the right person. Most were just ordinary citizens. Occasionally I found decent adventurers, but they probably weren't the person Lilis-chan was referring to.

I think she's someone like a trump card to protect humanity from demons.

Aria... it's unclear if it's a name or a nickname. Even just in the royal capital, there are tens of thousands of people, and including outside the capital, I'm searching among hundreds of thousands. It's quite a backbreaking task.

Where are you?

The royal capital, within the country, outside the country... no, if I extend my search outside the country, it's hopeless no matter how I think about it.

Although I'm a student at the magic academy, my family is just ordinary merchants. We don't have many connections with the royal family or guilds.

Feeling the limitations of what I could do on my own, I decided to rely on someone else's power.

That person is not only the student council president of the academy but also from an influential noble family. And above all, he's upright and capable. Yes, I consulted with Muvoderi Dessan, the student council president of the magic academy.

The president isn't the type to carelessly leak information; he's trustworthy.

The investigation progressed rapidly after consulting with the president. He delved into deeper data than I could investigate and conducted the search at a higher level than my connections.

We identified candidates based on age, gender, appearance, battle history, and so on. For promising individuals, we went to talk to them directly. After several months of investigation like this, we successfully narrowed down the list of Aria candidates to dozens in no time.

On days when the student council is off, the president and I conduct this Aria investigation together. Today, I was about to hear about the progress of the investigation from the president, but...

"Nicole-kun, do you have a moment?"

"Yes."

The president called out to me with a grave expression.

Could there have been some trouble with the investigation?

I look at the president with a tense expression.

"I'll get straight to the point. The investigation is canceled."

"Why?!"

I involuntarily press the president.

Aria's whereabouts are Lilis-chan's dying wish. I can't give up so easily. I desperately pleaded with the president to continue the investigation.

The president sighs with a troubled face.

"Nicole-kun, calm down. The Aria investigation is dangerous."

"Dangerous...?"

"That's right. Aria is probably a member of an underground organization, and moreover, someone in a fairly high position. If we carelessly try to uncover her identity, I can't guarantee your life."

So she is that kind of person after all. If she's part of an underground organization, she might belong to the Decarabia that Lilis-chan was a part of.

"An underground organization... you mean Decarabia?"

"Yes, the possibility is high."

"Then it's okay. The members of Decarabia fought risking their lives against the demons. They're allies of us humans."

"Indeed, they protected the royal capital. In place of us who were incompetent. They might be humanity's hope. But that organization is shrouded in secrecy. Organizations that value secrecy dislike those who try to investigate them. There's a high probability that anyone who investigates will be eliminated."

"N-no way... Isn't there anything we can do?"

"There's nothing we can do."

The president raises his hands in a gesture of surrender.

The investigation has hit a snag.

What should I do now?

"You know, I was interested in the Aria you talked about, that's why I went along with it. If Aria is a member of an underground organization, it's necessary to investigate for the sake of the royal family too. To be honest, I want to continue the investigation as well."

"Then...!"

"No. Pressure came from above."

"Pressure?!"

"Yes, my father issued the order to stop, but the direct order probably came from the World Nation Alliance."

The World Nation Alliance...

If I remember correctly, it's a meeting of the leaders of twenty countries called major powers, including the Arcdas Kingdom, Manafin Federation, and Magic Superpowers.

It's an incredibly powerful group. If you go against this organization, your entire family would probably be crushed.

Ugh, we were so close...

Thanks to the president, we had narrowed down the candidates to about a dozen. If we could investigate just a little more, we surely would have found her.

"We're so close, aren't we?! Just a little more investigation is all I need."

"Stop it. Your life is at stake. Do you want to die?!"

"I don't care. I want to fulfill Lilis-chan's wishes—"

"Nicole-kun!"

The usually gentle president raised his voice.

It's rare for the always calm president to do this.

"Many people died in the recent battle. It's an insult to the dead for the living to be careless with their lives. You must absolutely stop. Understood?!"

"...Yes."

From the president's demeanor, he probably won't cooperate anymore.

It seems I've reached my limit searching through official channels.

In that case, I'll use other connections.

A few days later...

"Edim, I'm sorry. I called you out so suddenly."

After that, I invited Edim to a cafe in Lint.

Edim, who belongs to an organization similar to Decarabia, might be able to get information about Aria.

"Jessica, you know I'm super busy, right?"

"Sorry."

That's right, Edim has been very busy since joining the underground organization. We haven't been able to meet properly lately.

I felt hesitant to ask for her help with the investigation, but I thought things had calmed down recently.

Maybe it's still too much to ask?

"Well, it's fine. I had something to ask you too, so this works out."

"Something to ask me?"

"You know, there was that incident before where my servant went berserk."

"Yeah. It was a guy named Ginieu, right? When I told you there was a vampire attacking people, you resolved it."

"You really helped me out then. I was able to bring down the hammer on my foolish servant."

"Please don't let your servants cause such incidents again."

"Right, about that. I absolutely want to prevent my servants from going berserk. So, there's a woman I want you to keep an eye on, Jessica."

"Eh?! I-I can't do that. I won't be able to stop her if she goes on a rampage."

"Don't jump to conclusions. She's basically docile, just hasn't sworn loyalty to me."

"If she hasn't sworn loyalty, won't she go on a rampage?"

"It's okay. She's basically a sensible woman. There's no way she'd go against Tilea-sama."

"I see. If she's sworn loyalty to Tilea-san, then it should be fine. Huh?! Then there's no need to monitor her, right?"

"...Even so, I'm uneasy because she hasn't sworn loyalty to me. Who knows what she might do. That's why I want to keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn't act on her own. If it's me or my subordinates, she'd be on guard."

"I want to help you, Edim, but... I can't handle a vampire. Why don't we ask Remilia-sama or Tilea-san?"

"Sigh~ Jessica... First, Remilia is out of the question. We can't leak information to outsiders. And it's absolutely out of the question to trouble Tilea-sama. How many times do I have to tell you? Are you trying to make things difficult for me?"

"Ugh. B-but, I wonder if I can do it~ If something happens, I might end up being the one in trouble..."

"Don't worry. You're Tilea-sama's favorite, so that woman won't lay a hand on you. If she does, then that would be grounds for puni— never mind."

It feels like I heard something unignorable at the end there... But she's asking me for a favor. I should listen to her request too.

"Alright. I'll help."

"Jessica, you're a lifesaver. It's such a pain when my subordinate sneaks around doing weird things."

"Yeah, that's right. The safety of everyone in town is at stake. I'll keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn't go on a rampage."

That's right. What was I afraid of?

I decided to protect the town in place of Lilis-chan and our comrades who died. We can't let incidents like Ginieu happen again. She's a vampire who hasn't sworn loyalty to Edim. She might be secretly attacking people.

Then Edim explained to me about the target of surveillance.

The vampire's name is Kikka Ki Mercato.

She's the daughter of a long-established department store on North Street. I've shopped there a few times. She was briskly giving orders to the head clerk and apprentices. She seemed like an intellectual and mature woman. To think even that person is a vampire.

"So, what was your request, Jessica?"

"Oh, right. Do you remember Lilis-chan?"

"Ah, that delinquent student from the magic academy..."

"Um, yeah. Her attitude was unfriendly, but she wasn't a delinquent."

"Hmm, well, whatever. What about this not-delinquent, just unfriendly Lilis who threw a big hammer at my side?"

"What?! Edim, you knew?"

"Well, yeah. At that time, I was rubbing my side and looking for the culprit who did such an insolent thing."

"I-I see. I thought you were just looking for Tilea-san and me, who killed Alcune."

"Ugh?! W-well, that too... I mean, I found out about Lilis in the process... Ah, never mind! Jessica, p-please don't bring that up. It's an event I really don't want to remember. I truly regret what happened."

Edim leans forward, getting excited.

She seems to really regret what happened back then.

Hehe, she's concerned about trying to kill Tilea-san. I wonder if she felt the same about me? I hope so.

"W-what are you smirking about? Don't get cheeky, Jessica."

"Hehehe, it's nothing..."

"F-fine, just get to the point. What about this Lilis? I heard she died, right?"

"Y-yeah. There's someone related to Lilis-chan that I want to find..."

Here's the translation of the provided text:

"What? Does Lilis have some comrades?"

Edim's face transforms into a ferocious expression.

J-just like a demon... It's scary. I feel the pressure.

"N-no, that's not it. Th-there was someone who helped when we buried Lilis-chan. I was in such shock at the time that I couldn't properly thank them, so I want to express my gratitude to that person. But I only know their name. I want to find out where they are."

I ended up telling a lie.

Somehow, I felt like I shouldn't tell the truth to the current Edim.

...Th-that's right.

The organization Edim belongs to might be in a rival relationship. If they're enemies, things could get complicated.

O-or maybe demons... No, that's not possible. There's no way.

I forcefully push away the unpleasant premonition.

"Sigh~ Are you still hung up on such trivial matters? It's been almost a year already."

"Trivial... Edim, that's cruel. You weren't the kind of person to say such terrible things. M-maybe after all..."

"Okay, okay, I'm sorry."

"What's with that tone! Many people died, and there are still people suffering. That incident—"

"I get it. I apologize. Come on, don't get so angry."

"Hmm, you never used to say such things so casually. You would occasionally say harsh things, but you were kinder than anyone, always considerate of others—"

"You're persistent. Am I that inhuman? Are you saying I'm a monster? I thought Jessica was my best friend."

"Ah..."

Edim shows a sad expression.

Is she hurt?

Oh, I should apologize. B-but, it also seems like she might be acting.

As I'm confused by Edim's attitude, she places her hand on top of mine.

"Hey. I'm grateful, you know. Jessica, you've kept quiet about me to the royal family. We're best friends, right?"

"Y-yeah. Sorry."

That's right.

There must be something wrong with me to doubt Edim who calls me her best friend like this.

...B-but, the expression she showed earlier really was like a demon's.

Those fierce eyes when spotting an enemy.

She's acting normal now, but like Alcune who once lurked in the academy committing atrocities, she might be hiding her fangs while pretending to be human.

No, that's wrong. Wrong. Absolutely wrong!

There's no need for her to put on such an act for a young girl like me.

There's no reason for Edim to leave me alone when she knows I'm aware she's a vampire. That's right. If she were really a demon, she would have easily killed a young girl like me. Moreover, the existence of Tilea-san, Edim's superior, is inexplicable above all else.

Tilea-san, an evil executive?

That's completely unlike her.

Certainly, her abilities are unparalleled, but her personality is the very embodiment of goodness.

That's right. Edim isn't an enemy. As Tilea-san said, she's a vampire, but she has a human heart. I've been helped by Edim many times since then. Edim is my best friend. That's absolutely, absolutely true!

My intuition whispers.

An unpleasant delusion. Not just Edim, but could Tilea-san also be a demon— Let's stop. If I keep thinking like this, my mind will really break.

I shook my head vigorously to interrupt my thoughts.

My best friend isn't dead. My best friend is still here.

"Jessica, what's wrong? You've been turning pale and shaking your head like an idiot."

"Uh, um, ahaha."

"Stop acting weird. It's enough to have just one idiot boss doing stupid things."

"...Yeah."

"Well, whatever. It's a request from my best friend. I'll listen to your request."

"Really!"

"Yes. Using the intelligence capabilities of our orga— I mean, my organization, we can handle something like this easily. It's not much of a burden. Besides, since you'll be spying for me, why don't we have tea regularly like this to exchange information?"

"Really?!"

"I don't lie."

Hehe. It's nostalgic. Until last year, I always had tea with Edim.

We had some awkward moments, but we can go back to how it was before, right?

"Then, can you investigate the whereabouts of the people written on this list?"

I hand Edim the paper with the information on Aria, narrowed down to a few dozen people.

Edim receives the investigation list and checks the names.

"Hmm, if you know this many names, couldn't you investigate yourself?"

"No. It didn't work. All the people written there are missing. Moreover, I couldn't find any acquaintances or family. No one knows them."

"Indeed, the population of the royal capital decreased drastically after that incident. But it's not a problem for our organization. We'll trace them back to their earliest ancestors. But if they're missing, doesn't that mean they're all simply dead? Well, they seem to have been alive when Lilis was buried."

"If they've passed away, I want to know that properly too."

"I understand. Anyway, I'll contact you when I find out where they are."

"Yeah. Thanks, Edim."

■ ◇ ■ ◇

Edim returns to her office languidly and reads the list given by Jessica.

Aria, huh~

Is she really just someone who helped out...

I know Jessica is dutiful.

But something doesn't sit right.

Would she investigate this much just for someone who helped bury her friend?

There must be many things to do for the restoration of the royal capital. I can't imagine the serious Jessica being so fixated on such a personal matter for so long.

Jessica, what are you hiding?

If it's something that could harm Camilla-sama or Tilea-sama, I won't let it slide.

I almost crush the list unconsciously.

Well, whatever.

It doesn't matter what she's hiding, it's not a problem. What could someone like Jessica do? She's like dust before the great power of Camilla-sama and Tilea-sama.

I don't have time to be involved in such trivial matters.

I have several concerns troubling me.

The issue with the Vampire Goryo Guards...

Disobedient subordinates like Jeje and Kikka are acting on their own. Especially Kikka, who's showing suspicious movements and can't be let off guard.

The problem with the 2nd Division...

Ortidiot keeps working me to the bone as usual. Because of him, half of our vampire organization's political affairs are being sacrificed.

The issue with the Demon King's Army...

In the recent diplomatic negotiations, I became the contact point between the Demon King's Army and the Evil God Army. Both sides are making unreasonable demands, giving me no end of stomach aches.

Ugh, let's take care of the simple matters first.

I move to the office of the 4th Division, which is the Evil God Army's intelligence unit.

I knock on the door and enter the room, where Division Commander Belnandes-sama was busy sorting through documents.

"I apologize for interrupting your busy schedule. This is Edim."

"Edim, huh. What do you need?"

"Yes, I have an important request for the intelligence unit..."

I convey Jessica's request to Belnandes-sama.

Honestly, I felt hesitant to ask Belnandes-sama for such a trivial matter.

However, all the members of my unit are busy. Not just a little busy, but extremely busy.

We don't have any personnel who are free enough to handle such trivial matters. I know the 4th Division is busy too, but they're a higher-ranked unit with different scale and capabilities compared to ours.

They should be able to handle something this trivial on the side.

"Edim, are you in your right mind? You want us to do such trivial chores? Do you understand the purpose of the 4th Division's existence?"

"Ah, uh..."

I-I messed up...

It's natural for Belnandes-sama to be angry.

The 4th Division is gathering the latest information for the Evil God Army's unification of the world. And yet, I made such a disrespectful request.

No matter how busy we are, this should be handled by the vampire organization.

"Really, you're lacking somewhere. To be caught up in such trivial matters... If Camilla-sama and Tilea-sama found out, how angry they would be."

"I-I'm terribly sorry."

I bowed deeply.

It's completely my fault.

As I kept my head bowed for a while in reflection,

"...Well, I understand that you're having a hard time. If it's outside of the Evil God Army's duties and in our spare time, we'll take it on."

Belnandes-sama reluctantly agreed.

Oh, it's worth asking after all.

Belnandes-sama knows that I'm struggling with Ortidiot. He must have sympathized with me.

"Thank you very much!"

"Ah, I'll have the younger members do it as part of their training. It should be good practice for intelligence gathering."

"I appreciate it. I'll come back later for the results."

I hand the list to Belnandes-sama and leave the 4th Division's office.

Yes, that went well. I've incurred a debt to Belnandes-sama, but it's far better than dealing with Ortidiot.